Sexy smells?

July 6, 2017

Want to get that special smell of that special time of the month for some sexy time, but aren’t on your period? Just buy some menstruation aroma spray. Yes, that’s actually for sale.

When menstrual blood comes into contact with oxygen, it starts to smell. For most women this is a reason to jump in the shower and wash themselves down there so they smell fresh and feel clean. Others grab an intimate wet wipe or use scented sanitary pads. But there are also people who find the smell of period blood very attractive.

Smells like… menstruation

The Japanese erotic adult goods store Kanojo Toys sells menstruation aroma spray. Their slogan: ‘Get that special smell from that special time of the month for when you want to get really kinky’. They also sell panties with a simulated menstruation stain. Some people, like their customers, get quite aroused by menstruation. This period sex fetish is called menophilia and can range from men (yes, it’s usually guys) getting turned on by the idea of a menstruating woman to men sniffing or licking used pads or tampons.

Menstruation sex, a.k.a. red rhapsody, is a special genre in the porn industry, albeit not a very popular one. Men who are into having sex with women on their period are called Blood Hounds and the story goes that a Hell’s Angel with red wings on his jacket has performed oral sex on a menstruating woman. There are several websites where hardcore period blood fans can buy used tampons and sanitary pads.

Period sex

It’s not only men who get turned on by menstruation; also some women feel more horny during their monthly bleeding. However, it seems that having sex during your period is even more of a taboo than having your period. Back in January, American ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ actress and singer-songwriter Rachel Bloom made a music video called Period Sex (with the hilarious line ‘If you’re grossed out, let’s pretend it’s cherry lube’). The network deemed the clip, which mostly shows Bloom dancing in a red dress, too dirty for TV. Another one that’s not likely to be shown on television anytime soon: ‘Can vampires smell my period’, an erotic film by Swedish film director Erika Lust.

Already back in the 18th century, menstrual odor was linked to sex; it was considered seductive as it indicated fertility. Period Piece has done a sketch on this (watch it on YouTube). In his book ‘Sex Facts for Women’ from 1936, Dr. Richard Lambert claims that menstrual flow smells like marigolds. More recently, researchers have discovered that smell does play a big role in attractiveness. However, women are deemed most attractive during their ovulation instead of during their menstruation. The study doesn’t say anything specific about the smell of menstrual blood though.

Real blood?

Want to try if your menstrual odour has the equivalent of the Lynx effect and don’t want to wait until your next period? Kanojo Toys’ menstruation aroma comes both as a spray (US$ 19) and in a bottle (US$ 24). Its suggested use? On sex dolls, your partner, yourself, sex toys, clothes or costumes. Naturally, the red liquid doesn’t consist any real menstrual blood. Instead, it’s made of water, ethanol, PPG-6, PEG-40, phenoxyethanol, castor oil, and flavouring.

What does contain real menstrual blood, and is also made in Japan: honmei choco. Especially on Valentine’s Day, it’s customary for Japanese girls to give chocolate to boys they like. Often this chocolate is homemade and sometimes it contains rather unusual ingredients. Like spit, hair and indeed menstrual blood. Apparently this honmei choco should lead to a reciprocated and lifelong love… […]